Competitions › International Balys Dvarionas Competition for Young Pianists and Violinists

International Balys Dvarionas Competition for Young Pianists and Violinists

Vilnius / Kaunas, Lithuania

Next edition

Edition: 2027
Location: Kaunas and Vilnius
Registration deadline: TBA

Overview

International competition for young pianists and violinists held every four years in Lithuania (EMCY-recognised since 2002), with solo rounds in Kaunas and an orchestral final in Vilnius. Open to all nationalities within three age groups; next edition 2027.

Organiser: Center for International Cultural Projects and Balys Dvarionas Charity and Support Foundation
Instruments: Piano, Violin
Category: Solo piano, Solo violin
Age limits: 2024: Group A born on/after 19 June 2012; B on/after 19 June 2008; C on/after 19 June 2004

Rules & repertoire

Registration & fee

Online via ArtistDB: ID, biography, repertoire, photo, video link; fee A EUR 60, B EUR 80, C EUR 100 (2024).

Rounds & time limits

Video pre-selection: 10-15 min
Rounds 1 and 2: A 10-20 min, B 15-25 min, C 20-30 min
Round 3 (Group C): concerto with orchestra

Repertoire

Video pre-selection 10-15 min; Round 1 incl. Baroque or Classical work; Round 2 incl. a work by Balys Dvarionas; Group C final concerto with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra (piano: Dvarionas No. 1/2, Mozart K. 488, Beethoven No. 3, Liszt No. 2, Schumann, Grieg).

Jury & prizes

Jury

Piano 2024: Barbara Szczepanska (chair, Germany)
Justas Dvarionas (Lithuania)
William Fong (UK)
Irena Gulzarova (Switzerland)
Yurii Kot (Ukraine)
Paul Rickard-Ford (Australia)
Albert Tiu (Singapore)

Prizes

Group A: EUR 1,000 / 600 / 400
Group B: EUR 2,000 / 1,200 / 800
Group C: EUR 3,000 / 1,800 / 1,200
Special prizes for Dvarionas works, Lithuanian contemporary piece, audience favourite

Past editions

To protect minors, we do not show the names of winners in categories open to under-18s, or of winners whose category the official source does not state (this competition also has under-18 categories). Category, age range and prize are always shown.

2024 — Kaunas and Vilnius (11-20 April 2024) source
Category not stated by the source
- 1st prize and EMCY Prize — name not shown (category not stated) — age groups A–C, youngest born 2012 or later

Summarised from official sources, last checked 11 Nov 2026. Main source